According to an article by the Jackson Sun, The Tennessee Department of Health has suspended new admissions to Bells Nursing Home and imposed a monetary penalty of $1,500. The state has also recommended that the nursing home be charged a federal penalty of $3,050 per day until the violations are corrected.
The violations include:
o failure of staff to follow through with recommendations of a physician and contract dental service,
o failure of the medical director, administrator and social services to provide outside resources to alleviate medical need; and
o the failure to protect a resident from harm.
The Commissioner of the Department of Health can suspend admissions to a nursing home when conditions are detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of its residents. The order remains effective until all violations are corrected. The nursing home has a right to a hearing before the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities or a judge.